County funds after-school program

Commissioner seeks to blunt teen crime, gangs at Buenaventura Lakes

August 9, 2007|By Daphne Sashin, Sentinel Staff Writer

KISSIMMEE -- Even as the county gets ready to make sweeping budget cuts, County Commissioner John Quinones is managing to make good on a campaign pledge to give kids in Buenaventura Lakes something better to do after school.

Quinones, who took office in May, hopes the program will attract teenagers. After school, they are at the greatest risk of being "negatively influenced if they're not occupied," he said.

"One of the top concerns in BVL is crime and youth gangs," Quinones said. "By allowing [teenagers] the opportunity to be involved in computers, educational programs and [other] activities, you're deterring possible delinquency."

The County Commission agreed last week, with no discussion, to give the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida about $13,000 to run an after-school program at the Robert Guevara Community Center in BVL for the first two months of the school year. County Manager Mike Freilinger said he would find the money to continue the program through next summer, which would cost another $77,000 in the new budget cycle.

The free after-school activities will be available to 50 school-age children from 3 to 6 p.m. During the summer, the program will serve 75 children from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The program will offer homework help and classes in arts and crafts, performing arts, health and life skills.

As part of the club's contract with the county, at least 20 children must regularly receive homework help and maintain or improve their grades.

In the longer term, Quinones said he hopes to see a permanent youth and family activity center built for the community of more than 20,000 residents.

Tampa developer Jim Mikes has pledged to give about 8 acres and $300,000 in construction seed money for a community center as part of his plan to redevelop the former BVL golf course.

Mikes has proposed to dig 90 acres of lakes and put a cluster of restaurants, offices, shops and a bank on the former 10th hole.

Some proceeds from selling the dirt would go toward the community center and a maintenance fund for the lakes, he said this week.

He has agreed to give $100,000 for the maintenance.

Residents who paid a premium to live on the golf course have questions about the project, including who would maintain the lakes when the money runs out.